Kano Pushes Back Against UK Travel Warning as Nigeria’s Tourism Confidence Faces Fresh Test

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August 28, 2026 6:35 AM

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The Kano State Government has dismissed travel safety advice against Kano State by the United Kingdom. Kano State officials stated that the UK travel advice was unnecessary and said Kano was safe and security should not be a travel concern to the UK or other foreign governments. Kano State’s focus is to establish and grow both the country’s and state’s tourism and investment sectors, and so the travel advice is seen as a hindrance to that goal.

The Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) advised British nationals against all travel except for essential travel to Kano State, Kaduna, Kebbi, Jigawa and Sokoto. For Katsina and Zamfara, all travel was advised against. The northeastern region of Nigeria, as stated in the advice, has a high risk of banditry and attacks. There are also concerns of the inter-ethnic violence of communities, which are threats to UK travelers.

Waiya, the Commissioner for Information and Internal Affairs, also stated Kano was safe. They urged the UK, as well as other foreign governments, to reach out to the Nigerian and state security agencies for Ashigher travel and safety advice. If foreign governments issue travel safety advisories that are too broad, travel and investment to Kano State will decrease.

The UK’s official Nigeria travel advice is not a blanket warning against visiting the entire country, but it does divide Nigeria into different risk categories based on location and security conditions. The FCDO currently advises against all travel to Borno, Yobe, Adamawa and Gombe in the north-east, while Kano is included in the category where only essential travel is advised.

That distinction matters because the wording does not mean the British government considers every part of Kano State inaccessible or that all travel must stop immediately. Instead, it represents the FCDO’s assessment that the risks associated with travelling to the state are sufficiently significant that British nationals should undertake travel only when it is considered essential, with the government also warning that insurance may be affected when people travel against its advice.

The FCDO says its Nigeria guidance is based on security risks that include terrorism, kidnapping and violent crime, and specifically notes that attacks can occur in locations visited by foreign nationals. It also advises particular caution during election periods and other periods when political or social tensions could increase, making the travel advisory relevant to both tourism planning and business travel.

Kano says security conditions have improved

Kano’s government has responded by highlighting its own security initiatives and recent recognition of Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf’s approach to security governance. The Institute of Security and Strategic Studies presented Yusuf with an Award of Excellence in Security Governance in August, with officials citing efforts to strengthen security institutions, promote community participation and support peace-building initiatives.

Commissioner Ibrahim Waiya has argued that security should not be assessed solely through isolated incidents or broad regional classifications because conditions can vary significantly from one state to another. His call for foreign governments to consult local and national security agencies reflects Kano’s concern that external advisories can create an impression of widespread insecurity even when local authorities believe conditions have improved.

The state has also emphasised the role of community participation in its security strategy, with officials arguing that government agencies cannot address security challenges alone. The approach includes support for security institutions and attempts to tackle underlying social conditions, while encouraging traditional leaders, religious organisations, civil society groups and communities to participate in crime prevention and peace-building.

Why travel advisories matter to tourism

Travel advisories can have an influence far beyond the immediate traveller because tourism is built heavily on confidence, accessibility and perceptions of safety. A destination may have hotels, attractions, cultural experiences and transport infrastructure available, but international visitors can still postpone or cancel trips when their governments advise against non-essential travel.

For Kano, the issue is particularly significant because the city has long held an important position as a commercial and cultural centre in northern Nigeria. Its markets, historic sites, traditional institutions and connections with wider northern Nigeria give it potential relevance for cultural tourism, business travel and regional events, while the wider state is seeking to strengthen its economic position.

The impact of an advisory is therefore not limited to leisure tourism because business travellers, investors, conference organisers, journalists and international development organisations can also use government security guidance when determining whether personnel should travel. A prolonged warning can increase perceived risk, potentially affecting hotel demand, event participation, aviation demand and other parts of the visitor economy.

Tourism and investment confidence now intersect

Kano’s government has increasingly presented the state as a destination for investment and economic activity, making security confidence an important part of its broader development strategy. In July, Kano was recognised by BusinessDay under its States Competitiveness and Investment Readiness Awards, while Governor Yusuf was named BusinessDay Governor of the Year for 2026 in recognition of governance and economic development efforts.

That investment narrative is closely connected with tourism because a successful visitor economy requires many of the same foundations as a successful business environment. Reliable transport, public safety, functioning markets, accommodation, communications, infrastructure and confidence among international stakeholders can support both tourism growth and wider economic activity.

The challenge for Kano is therefore not simply to dispute the wording of a foreign advisory but to demonstrate through transparent, credible and independently verifiable information that security conditions are improving. Consistent communication between state authorities, national security agencies, foreign missions and tourism stakeholders could help international travellers obtain a more detailed understanding of conditions on the ground.

Election concerns add another layer

Some Kano residents quoted in local reports have linked the latest advisory to concerns surrounding Nigeria’s forthcoming 2027 general election. Residents have pointed to previous occasions when foreign governments issued security warnings around Nigerian elections, although such comparisons do not by themselves establish why the current UK guidance was issued.

The FCDO itself advises travellers to take particular care during election periods, religious events and public holidays because security risks can change during periods of heightened political or social activity. That means election-related risk assessments can form part of a broader security calculation, rather than necessarily representing a judgement that a specific state is currently experiencing widespread violence.

It is also important for travellers and tourism businesses to distinguish between political speculation and verified security information. Travel decisions should be based on current official advisories, local instructions and credible security information rather than assumptions about the motives behind an advisory.

Kano’s security record remains part of the debate

Kano’s argument that it is comparatively secure does not mean the state has experienced no security challenges, and official records and previous assessments show that the wider region has faced incidents involving crime, kidnapping and militant activity. UK government background material has previously documented security incidents and kidnapping concerns in Kano, demonstrating why foreign governments continue to include the state in their regional risk assessments.

At the same time, security is not static, and conditions can improve or deteriorate rapidly depending on intelligence, policing, criminal activity, political developments and events in neighbouring states. Kano officials therefore have a legitimate interest in communicating improvements, while foreign governments have a responsibility to update their citizens when their own risk assessments change.

The most constructive outcome would be stronger information sharing rather than an escalating dispute over whether one side is right or wrong. If Kano can provide credible security data and evidence of improved conditions, foreign missions can assess that information alongside their own intelligence and determine whether their advisories should eventually change.

What this means for international travellers

British travellers considering Kano should understand that the current FCDO position is not to travel unless the journey is essential, rather than interpreting the advisory as a declaration that every location in the state is inaccessible. Travellers should also understand that official advice can affect insurance coverage and should check the latest guidance immediately before departure.

For tourism operators, the situation reinforces the importance of accurate destination information and strong crisis communication. Hotels, airlines, tour companies and destination managers can help by providing practical information about routes, operating conditions, local restrictions and emergency contacts, while avoiding claims that could conflict with official security assessments.

The wider lesson for Nigeria’s tourism industry is that destination confidence can take years to build but can be weakened quickly by negative perceptions. Kano’s response therefore has significance beyond the immediate disagreement because the state is seeking to position itself as a secure commercial and cultural hub while international governments continue to evaluate security risks across northern Nigeria.

Kano’s tourism potential remains significant

Kano possesses considerable cultural and historical assets that could support future tourism development if security confidence continues to improve. The city’s long history as a commercial centre, traditional architecture, markets and cultural institutions gives the destination a distinctive identity that could appeal to visitors interested in heritage, commerce and northern Nigerian culture.

However, tourism growth requires more than attractions because international visitors need confidence that they can reach a destination safely, move around efficiently and access reliable emergency assistance if something goes wrong. The FCDO itself advises travellers to research their destination, contact travel providers and insurers where necessary, and follow local emergency instructions, highlighting the importance of practical preparation.

Anup Kumar Keshan comments on Kano’s tourism outlook

“Travel advisories deserve careful attention because traveller confidence is one of the most important foundations of a successful tourism economy, but they should also be considered alongside credible local information and changing security conditions. Kano has significant cultural, historical and commercial potential, and its efforts to strengthen community security and improve governance are encouraging for the future of tourism. The priority now should be transparent communication between Kano authorities, Nigerian security agencies and international governments so that travellers can make informed decisions based on accurate information. A constructive dialogue can protect visitors, strengthen confidence and ultimately help Kano demonstrate its tourism potential while maintaining safety as the central priority.”

— Anup Kumar Keshan, Editor-in-Chief, Travel And Tour World

The road ahead for Kano tourism

The current disagreement between Kano State and the UK illustrates the difficult balance between protecting travellers and promoting tourism in destinations where security assessments can differ. Kano’s government wants international audiences to recognise improvements in security, while the UK continues to advise British nationals to undertake only essential travel because of its assessment of the risks.

For Kano’s tourism ambitions, the strongest response will ultimately come through measurable improvements, transparent security reporting and sustained engagement with international partners rather than criticism alone. If the state can demonstrate that security conditions are improving and maintain effective communication with foreign governments and travel stakeholders, it could strengthen confidence in its long-term tourism and investment prospects.

Nigeria’s broader tourism sector also has an interest in resolving such confidence gaps because international visitors rarely view security concerns through state boundaries alone. A well-managed, evidence-based response from Kano could therefore contribute to a more nuanced understanding of travel conditions in northern Nigeria while helping the country promote its cultural and commercial attractions responsibly.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is the UK advising against all travel to Kano?

No, the UK currently advises against all but essential travel to Kano State rather than advising against every journey under all circumstances. The FCDO places Kano in a different category from states such as Katsina and Zamfara, where it advises against all travel.

Why has Kano rejected the UK travel advisory?

Kano State officials argue that the security situation in the state is better than the regional warning suggests and have highlighted recent security initiatives and recognition of Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf’s security governance. The government has also called on foreign governments to consult Nigerian and state security agencies before issuing assessments about local conditions.

Is Kano safe for tourism?

Kano officials say the state is safe and secure, but the UK continues to assess the security risk as sufficiently high to recommend only essential travel. International visitors should therefore consult the latest official travel advice and make decisions based on their individual circumstances.

Could the advisory affect Kano tourism?

Yes, because travel advisories can influence visitor confidence, insurance arrangements, business travel and tour operator decisions. A prolonged advisory can therefore create challenges for hotels, attractions, transport providers and other businesses connected to tourism.

Does the UK advisory cover the whole of Nigeria?

No, the FCDO uses different risk categories for different parts of Nigeria. It currently advises against all travel to several north-eastern states and against all but essential travel to Kano and other states in the north-west, while its guidance also identifies specific security risks elsewhere.

What should British travellers do before visiting Kano?

British travellers should check the latest FCDO Nigeria travel advice before departure, assess whether their journey is essential and confirm the implications for travel insurance. They should also monitor local security information and follow instructions from Nigerian authorities while in the country.